CVE-2012-4249 in Kindle Touch
Summary
by MITRE
The Amazon Lab126 com.lab126.system sendEvent implementation on the Kindle Touch before 5.1.2 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a string, as demonstrated by using lipc-set-prop to set an LIPC property, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-4248.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4249 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Amazon Lab126 com.lab126.system sendEvent implementation on Kindle Touch devices prior to firmware version 5.1.2. This vulnerability operates at the system level within the device's communication framework, specifically targeting the LIPC (Local Inter-Process Communication) property setting mechanism that enables various system components to interact with each other. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the sendEvent function, which processes system events and property modifications through the lipc-set-prop command interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious strings containing shell metacharacters that get interpreted and executed by the underlying shell without proper sanitization, creating a dangerous attack surface for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern of command injection attacks where the attacker leverages the lipc-set-prop utility to set LIPC properties that subsequently trigger shell command execution. The vulnerability is context-dependent, meaning that successful exploitation requires specific conditions to be met, including knowledge of the LIPC communication protocol and understanding of how the sendEvent implementation processes input parameters. The attack vector specifically targets the system's event handling mechanism rather than user-facing interfaces, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at a low system level with elevated privileges. This approach aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories related to command injection vulnerabilities, where improper handling of external input leads to unintended command execution. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Shell Script) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) as attackers can leverage the system-level access to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the system process.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4249 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure on affected Kindle Touch devices. Since the vulnerability affects the core system communication framework, successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify system properties, access sensitive device information, or even install malicious software that persists across reboots. The context-dependent nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation requires specific knowledge of the target system's communication patterns and may be difficult to achieve in environments with proper security configurations. However, given that this affected the Kindle Touch platform, which was widely distributed and used for extended periods, the potential for exploitation was significant. The vulnerability also represents a broader class of issues affecting embedded systems and IoT devices where system-level communication protocols are not properly secured against injection attacks. Organizations and users should be particularly concerned about the persistence of such vulnerabilities in consumer devices, as these often receive limited security updates and remain in use for extended periods without proper patch management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4249 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary mitigation involves updating affected Kindle Touch devices to firmware version 5.1.2 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation for the sendEvent implementation. System administrators and security teams should implement input validation controls that sanitize all external inputs before processing, particularly for system-level communication interfaces that handle property setting operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems, particularly around command construction and execution, and aligns with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and NIST SP 800-53. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual LIPC communication patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of system-level components and communication protocols, particularly in devices that operate with elevated privileges and have direct access to critical system functions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed on embedded systems to identify similar injection vulnerabilities that could provide attackers with unauthorized access to system resources and capabilities.